by Stone, Piper
“What?” I was thrown. There’d never been any indication the incident hadn’t been an accident.
“Yeah, someone fucked with the boat, Stephanie. They planted a bomb on board then made certain there would be engine trouble.”
“A bomb.” I closed my eyes, able to see flashes in my mind. Fire. Yes, I remembered a ball of fire seconds before I was plunged into the cold Atlantic. “Father said it was just an accident, a malfunction.”
“That’s what everyone was told and no one but members of our sect knew about the two deaths.” Christian laughed bitterly.
“Only a child died, some people injured.”
“Oh, the child did lose her life, the parents banished from the community in order to protect the sect.”
“I...” I had no memory of seeing the husband and wife after the event. I was sickened at the thought. “Why would they do that? No, you’re lying to me.”
“Think about this, sweetheart. They were banished because the wife wasn’t able to have another child. That’s all that’s important to the cult. Carrying on the future. Wealth. And you forget, I was the first and only person to swim to the boat. I know what I saw. The two crew members who died were never mentioned again, the entire sect pretending that the family had never been a part of the community. Sick bastards, aren’t they?”
My heart was racing, the blood pumping wildly as another round of images flashed in my mind. The gentleness of his caress kept me from falling into the abyss of the horror. “The father and other members covered it up.”
“Yes, just like they covered up what really happened to Marcus Crosby. Did you ever wonder what happened to his wife and children after he was brutally murdered?”
I shook my head, my head pounding.
“Well, let’s just say their life of luxury ended abruptly. At least they’re still alive.”
“This is insane. We have to stop this.”
His eyes shimmered from the afternoon sun peeking in through the partially open window blinds. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I have plans to break through the golden halo.”
The way he snickered was chilling, a reminder of just how dangerous he truly was. “What are you planning?”
“I will take over and things are going to change.”
“Jesus Christ. I should have known. That’s all you want in life. Control.” Every time he pulled me in, his true personality came out.
“I want one hell of a ride out of life, sweetheart, and no one is going to stop me.”
“Of course not, Christian.”
I could no longer stomach looking at him. I just wanted to get the round of discipline over so I could lock myself in the room. If that was even possible. I heard his heavy sigh as his grip tightened, forcing me to glance into his eyes.
“All those years ago, do you remember what I said to you after pulling you from the water, giving you a breath of life?” he asked, the tone of his voice far less superior.
“I...” I could remember his face, the way he smiled when I’d opened my eyes. “Yes, I remember.”
He closed his eyes, taking and holding his breath for a few seconds. “I told you that I’d protect you, that I would be your forever hero because that’s all you ever talked about. Your books, knights on white steeds. Heroes. I’d never been so terrified in my life. You were dead when I got you out of that water. Dead.”
“I... was?” Why hadn’t I been told? All the nightmares had been real. Jesus.
Christian rubbed his thumb across my face in an almost brutal manner, his arm shaking and his mouth twisting as he told the story. “I couldn’t stand the fact someone wanted a sweet and innocent angel like you dead. I vowed to hunt down the motherfucker and kill him. That was the very day I fell in love with you, although it was made clear that I was nothing but scum. And still, I could think of nothing else, trying to check on you, to make certain you were all right. Your parents refused to allow me to talk to you on the phone or come by the hospital.”
“I had no idea.” I thought about everything my father had said about Christian, spouting off all the horrible deeds he’d done through the years. Extortion. Espionage. Even murder. I’d believed him. To hear the angst in his voice was far more disturbing than anything I’d experienced in so long. Words were caught in my throat, my head throbbing from the sickness of realization. Almost every aspect of my life had been a lie.
“Don’t worry about it. What a fool to think I could be that man. While I will protect you no matter the circumstances, I’m no one’s hero. You and everyone else have made that perfectly clear.” He stepped away from me, shaking his head every few seconds. “Make no mistake, Stephanie. The people that were out to kill off our families and our friends years ago have tried and will try again. You and I are prime targets.”
“Why?”
He laughed, tipping his head back to glance at the ceiling. “You really don’t understand how important this marriage is to our sect. Do you? The power we wield to control major industries and take over corporations if we so choose is tremendous. That’s what the Council has been doing, only all five members are getting older. They need fresh blood. Imagine our domination over various politicians, decisions made affecting this entire country.”
“And with power comes treachery,” I said quietly.
“Yes. There are enemies that have yet to make themselves known, but I assure you they will. They will stop at nothing to make certain one thing in particular doesn’t happen.”
“What?” As I studied his eyes, I knew the answer and was sickened at the thought. “Our child.”
“Yes. For he shall be the ruler of the kingdom.”
As soon as Christian said the words, I remembered the sacred teachings and sermons performed by the father. One ruler. The ultimate power behind a conglomeration that had been building for over a century. The accusations coming from the reporter remained in the forefront of my mind. There was a true evil lurking in the very depths of the sect. What price would be paid in order for the final resolution to occur?
I shuddered at the thought.
“Perhaps you do understand.” He placed his hand on his belt once again, the gesture no longer filling me with anger. “You placed your life in danger today after I gave you explicit instructions to go to the boat. Obviously, I had my reasons why. I keep my word, Stephanie. You are going to be punished.”
There was no arguing with the man. I knew that. Perhaps in some sick and disgusting manner, I also knew that I’d crossed several lines, pushing him on purpose. The frankness of his words, the sadness in his eyes was palpable, bringing me to the point of tears. “Fine.”
I could tell he’d expected me to argue. Maybe I simply didn’t have it in me, the realization of what the rest of my life would be like taking a toll.
He took a deep breath then pointed toward the bed. “Place two pillows on the bed and remove your clothes.”
I was too numb to make any nasty comments, too incensed to be able to rationalize. I simply did as he asked, removing and folding my clothes like I’d been taught to do as a child. My skin prickled as I reached for the pillows, placing one on top of the other in the middle of the bed. I’d never received this kind of punishment, certainly not until the night before.
The same feeling of utter shame washed over me, creating a wave of heat behind my neck. Butterflies had decided to nest in my tummy, leaving me lightheaded and nauseous.
Although the blinds were only cracked open, I could just imagine the deckhands with beers in their hands, watching the wealthy woman getting a hard spanking.
The thought made me shiver as I climbed over the pillows. I heard the sound of the buckle, the slight ting as he unfastened the thick leather strap. The one from the night before had been nothing in comparison to his own personal belt. I couldn’t take my mind off the concept even as the scent of well-worn leather drifted into my nostrils.
Then he brushed the pads of his fingers down the length of my spine and I was thrown into a catacl
ysm of desire, sucking in my breath. Tingles shifted along the inside of my legs, crawling inch by inch until my pussy was swept with the most dazzling sensations. There was so much electricity between us that his simple touch almost brought an intense orgasm.
I held my breath as he continued his exploration, gently tracing my shoulder blades then rubbing his fingers down the length of my arm. His heavy breathing matched my own, the beating of my heart thudding into my ears.
When he slid the tip of a single finger down the crack of my ass, I clenched my muscles, realizing exactly what he craved.
And knowing every promise he’d made would come true.
Christian took a step back and the anticipation was almost too much. I’d never felt like such a misbehaving child in my life, one in need of redemption.
“I’m only going to give you thirty tonight,” he said with almost no inflection in his voice.
Thirty? I wasn’t even certain I could handle that many. “Fine,” I muttered.
“Fine?” he asked, tapping first one ass cheek then the other.
Was this man actually asking me to call him sir? I was flabbergasted and fisted my hands. “I mean. Yes. Sir.” I could hear the bitterness in my tone, the utter defiance that I knew would piss him off.
“And you’re going to keep your position.”
“Yes. Sir.”
I heard the snapping of his wrist first, the sound reverberating in my ears. As the whoosh of air floated past me, everything seemed to be in slow motion. But as the leather landed across both cheeks, there was no pain, no feelings whatsoever. There was simply a dullness, a quiet moment stretching across all time. I shifted, wiggling my hips as he brushed his hand across my bottom.
Another whoosh.
Another cracking sound.
One strike then two.
Three.
Four.
This time, the pain was blinding, driving me up from the bed, a harsh whimper erupting from my mouth. “Fuck. Oh. Oh!” Stars floating in front of my eyes and I kicked both legs up and down, trying desperately to breathe normally.
“You’re doing well.”
This was insane, far too surreal. I was being spanked for shopping. I closed my eyes, frustrated as hell, my entire bottom already on fire. “Oh... It fucking... hurts.” I rolled back and forth, fighting to keep from curling up into a ball.
“And you know it’s supposed to. If you misbehave, the punishment will hurt. Stay in position.”
I clenched my hands around the bedding, pulling and screaming into the comforter as the discipline continued, the strikes coming one after another. He had an almost perfect rhythm and he was damn good at what he was doing. Not a single spot on my backside had been left untouched, the heat building to a roaring fire.
When he smacked the belt across the tops of my thighs, I pulled my legs all the way up, gasping for air. He waited before pulling them down, brushing his damn sexy fingers across my bruised skin. What I couldn’t understand was that I was turned on, my nipples as hard as they could be, aching to be sucked.
Licked.
Twisted.
Bitten.
The wafting of my feminine desire was sickening, and I could feel my pussy leaking, no doubt placing a giant wet spot in the middle of the bed. This was maddening. I was turned on from being disciplined? I dug my fingers into the material as he issued another four, no longer hearing the cracking sounds, just the irregular beating of my heart.
“Five more,” he said, or at least I thought he had.
I’d fought bravely to keep the tears away, but the range of emotions was far too great to handle. As the belt was brought down again, the first tear slipped from my eye.
After the third, I was lost in a sea of them, my mouth still pressed against the comforter, trying not to blubber.
I wasn’t entirely certain he’d finished until he sat down next to me. The man wasn’t touchy feely. There hadn’t been any romance other than bringing me a beautiful bouquet of natural roses. But what he did next was yet another layer of the man I hadn’t expected.
He gathered me into his arms, cradling me against his chest, his hand smoothing down my hair.
And telling me that everything was going to be all right.
Unfortunately, I knew better, my sixth sense working overtime. There was no doubt in my mind that one or both of us was going to die.
Chapter Nine
Stephanie
Every inch of my body continued to tingle. From his touch.
From the way his fingers had stroked my skin.
From the intense scent of the man, intoxicating in every manner.
I’d wanted him to stay, to share an intimate moment in the middle of the early afternoon, but I hadn’t been able to mutter the words. Instead, I’d curled up on my side around the soft pillows, whimpering like some small child, praying the stinging sensations would lessen.
I rubbed my fingers across my lips, still remembering our last kiss, the passion unbridled. I’d felt so safe and wanted in his arms, as if he was indeed my hero. How crazy was that? To think that he’d thought of me fondly left me just as jarred as the fact I’d almost been murdered and two people I hadn’t even known had lost their lives.
Why had my parents never told me? Now I knew why they’d kept a firm hold on me until I turned eighteen. They were terrified of another assassination attempt.
Who had been the actual targets? Why did they feel the need to eliminate anyone from the sect? Who was responsible? There were too many questions and almost no practical answers.
I’d once heard my father on the phone, his discussion involving the Taglioni mafia family and their reign of terror. Was that possible? Were our respective fathers getting in their way, usurping their business? There was no way of knowing, but I had the distinct feeling that Christian had a pulse on more aspects than he wanted to confide in me.
There was so much to be said, so many new concerns that my mind had difficulty wrapping around them. One thing was certain.
The man continued to worry about my safety. My new husband did care for me and had for years. I’d been blinded on purpose to his real nature, partially because of his behavior. Mostly because of the fact my father hated the Capodannos.
I also thought about Christian’s words and the damning meaning behind them.
Power.
Greed.
Influence.
Whether or not the Taglioni family were behind the various incidents, the concept of wealth and power were exactly why the mafia had a firm hold in various businesses, not all of them based in criminal activity. There was no bullshit within their hierarchy, punishment handled almost exactly the same as within the sect. There’d been at least three murders, several tragedies, and far too many secrets and lies within the hallowed grounds of the Hamptons. The only difference in the men of the sect? They pretended to walk on the side of good, men of God. All while wretched things were going on behind closed doors.
I finally eased off the end of the bed, moving toward the closet. When I found after opening the door was almost as disconcerting as Christian’s behavior.
Clothes—beautiful, colorful dresses and heels, silk and satin lingerie and all adorned with tags from several high-end clothing stores. I was thrown, my stomach churning once again. What did he expect out of me? As I fingered several of the pieces, I had to face the fact that Christian didn’t want his new bride in shabby attire. The thought angered me, and I fought every urge to rip the gorgeous pieces into shreds.
I retreated to the bathroom, splashing cold water in my face, still shaking from the harsh spanking and the fact my body craved everything about the man.
Including his basic obsession with owning me.
I honestly didn’t remember his whispered words after saving me and I wish that I did. That would give me some level of comfort. Maybe.
Shifting, I studied the red marks crisscrossing my naked ass. I would have difficulty sitting for some time. A single touch of my hand f
orced me to wince. He certainly knew how to use his belt, leaving me wondering whether he’d been involved in a relationship of this nature in the past. He’d left as if in discomfort, merely suggesting I enjoy partaking in the views but also reminding me that dinner would be served at exactly six-thirty.
Everything was regimented.
After grabbing a jacket and my sunglasses, I walked outside, uncertain of how I’d feel being on a yacht after everything that Christian had told me. All the nightmares I’d had over the years certainly made a hell of a lot more sense, although I still couldn’t remember much of what had occurred. What I did remember gave me chills.
The wind whipped across my face, the water more turbulent than I would have imagined given the beautiful afternoon. The scent of the ocean was blissful, allowing my mind to clear. There were no boats within sight or any concept of land. Simply the churning waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
I hadn’t paid any attention to the boat as I was being shoved down into the cabin. The charter must have cost him a fortune. I noticed at least five crew members, none of whom were the captain. While I was no expert in any manner regarding yachts, the luxury vessel had to be at least one hundred feet in length, the amazing deck furnished with an outdoor kitchen, seating for at least a dozen lounge chairs and the most amazing hot tub.
The bubbling water drew my attention. My God, to think I’d spent years living in a tiny little rent-controlled apartment, my refrigerator small in comparison to the stainless steel one housed under a beautiful canopy. If Christian was trying to impress me, he’d actually managed to do so.
I meandered around the various pieces of furniture, staring down at the water in the whirlpool. Everything was posh, elegant. And I was wearing cargo shorts and a plain tee shirt.
As I moved closer to the railing, my stomach lurched, another memory popping to the surface.
